Soft collar positioner



1934- B. l. HUGHES SOFT COLLAR POSITIONER Filed Sept. 18, 1931 Imventor 2 B Z fla/eoas', u

(lttornege Patented Feb. 27, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE Application September 18, 1931 Serial No. 563,628

3 Claims.

The invention relates to new and useful improvements in a soft collar positioner, that is, a device for connecting and spacing the end portions of the collar.

5 An object of the invention is to provide a soft collar positioner which is provided with means not only for engaging and spacing the ends of the collar, but also the means for engaging the collar at the fold therein, which collar positioner is supported entirely free of the collar button so that it is free to move up and down with the collar.

A further object of the invention is to provide a collar positioner of the above type which is constructed so as to rest against the wearer and hold the collar end sections substantially straight and prevent bending or buckling thereof.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a collar positioner which is also provided with means for engaging and supporting the tie.

In the drawing which shows by way of illustration one embodiment of the invention Figure 1 is a front view showing the device as applied to a collar and forming a rest or support for the tie;

Fig. 2 is a front view of the device removed from the collar;

Fig. 3 is a side View of the same, and

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the collar positioning device.

The improved collar positioning device consists of a metal cross bar 1 to which is attached a clamping member 2. Said clamping member is secured at the central portion 3 to the bar and is provided at its end with curled portions 4 which are adapted to engage the collar when the bar is slipped beneath the end portions of the collar. This bar is adapted to be attached to the end portions of the collar between the points and the fold in the collar and serves to space the end sections. This spacing bar and means for attaching the same to the collar form no part of the present invention per se, and it is obvious that other forms of spacing bars and other forms of attaching means may be used in lieu thereof.

Rigidly attached to this cross bar 1 is a supporting frame which is preferably made of one 0 piece of spring wire. The end 5 of the wire is rigidly attached to one end of the cross bar 1. The end 6 is rigidly attached to the other end of this cross bar. As shown, the ends are passed through openings in the cross bar and soldered thereto. It is obvious that any suitable way of rigidly attaching the ends to the cross bar may be utilized.

Each end of the wire is bent inwardly from the cross bar as indicated at '7. It is thence bent upwardly as indicated at 8. These upwardly extending arms or portions of the wire are bent outwardly away from the center line of the sup-- port as indicated at 9. The wire is then bent forwardly and inwardly as indicated at 10 and thence curved downwardly at 11 to meet and join at the point 12. The portions 11 are bent away from the center line of the positioner so that the upper portion thereof is more effectively concealed beneath the collar should the tie slip down. By bending the frame parts between members 10, 10, the positioner can be readily adapted to collars having varied widths of opening at the top.

When the cross bar is attached to the end portions of the collar between the points and the 76 fold in the collar, the frame extends upwardly underneath the end portions and the parts 10, 10 engage the collar at the fold line. The part 8 rests against the wearer and holds the bar 1 well out away from the wearer. The end portions may 80 be drawn comparatively tight between the cross bar and the portion 10 engaging the collar at the fold line. This insures that the end portions of the collar will be substantially straight and free from undue buckling or bending and will also ex- 8 tend outwardly away from the wearer, and thus resemble in appearance a stiff collar. The frame and cross bar are supported solely by the collar and are free from attachment to the button and therefore the frame structure is free to move with the collar. This gives freedom of movement to the collar. The necktie sets in front of and is tightened against the frame and will be supported by the portions 11, l1 and 12 thereof, which serve as a resilient base or foundation for the tie. This will hold the necktie in a fixed and permanent position.

Fro-m the above it will be apparent that I have provided a collar positioner which is attached solely to the collar and free to move therewith and at the same time holds the end portions of the collar between the points and the fold line of the collar substantially straight and smooth and well out from the wearer. This collar positioner also gives a proper and substantial positioning of the tie relative to the collar.

It is obvious that minor changes in the details of construction and the shaping of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A soft collar positioner comprising a cross bar attachable to the collar between the points and the fold in the collar for spacing the ends of the collar, a metal frame rigidly supported by said cross bar, said frame including members engaging the collar at the fold adjacent the ends thereof for supporting the collar and a member connecting said collar supporting members and shaped so as to permit said collar supporting members to yield independently, said frame and bar being free to move with the collar, said metal frame being bent inwardly from the cross bar so as to rest against the wearer so as to hold the collar straight and positioned away from the wearer.

2. A soft collar positioner comprising a cross bar attachable to the collar between the points and the fold in the collar for spacing the ends of the collar, a metal frame rigidly supported by said cross bar, said frame including members engaging the collar at the fold adjacent the ends thereof for supporting the collar and a member connecting said collar supporting members and shaped so as to permit said collar supporting members to yield independently, said frame and bar being free to move with the collar, said connecting portion being bent forwardly of the frame to provide a base against which the tie may be supported.

3. A soft collar positioner comprising a rigid cross bar having a part extending beneath the collar detachably connected to the collar between the points and the fold in the collar for spacing the ends of the collar, a metal frame rigidly attached to the ends of said cross bar beneath the collar, said frame including members engaging the collar at the fold adjacent the ends thereof for supporting the collar, and a member connecting said collar supporting members shaped so as to permit the collar supporting members to yield independently in a downward direction, said frame and bar being free to move with the collar, said metal frame being bent inwardly from the cross bar so as to rest against the wearer and hold the collar straight and positioned away from the wearer, said connecting portion of the frame members being bent forwardly of the frame to provide a base against which the tie may be supported.

BENJAMIN I. HUGHES. 

